Quote of the Day: There was something magical about an island – the mere word suggested fantasy. You lost touch with the world – an island was a world of its own. A world, perhaps, from which you might never return. Agatha Christie, And Then There Were None. 

Cast of And Then There Were None at Lyric Arts in Anoka, MN. Thru 3/22/26. Photo: Molly Jay

Lyric Arts in Anoka, MN has a wonderful production of And Then There Were None that just opened this weekend and extends through March 22, 2026. It’s deliciously suspenseful and atmospheric, superb acting and directing, and design. Director Lee Hannah Conrads has assembled a talented cast to embody these wicked characters created by the master of crime, Agatha Christie. The stage adaptation, written by Christie herself and first produced in London in 1943, deviates from the original ending in her novel. There are other adaptations and endings to the play. Also, the original title of the book and play have been changed, as well as the island is now Soldier Island and the poem used for the plot is now Ten Little Soldiers instead of Indians (and an even worse name in the original). 

Bruce Abas as Sir Lawrence Wargrave and Nadya Dominique as Vera Claythorne in And Then There Were None at Lyric Arts in Anoka, MN. Thru 3/22/26. Photo: Molly Jay

In classic Christie fashion, she puts her characters in a location where they are all trapped together. Someone is murdering everyone on the island, and the people in the play, as well as the audience, are wondering who will be next, and of course, which one is the killer. The design team: Scenic – Justin Hooper, Lighting – Alyssa Kraft, Sound – Brodyn Byington, create a wonderfully atmospheric production with light and sound cues coming at just the right moment, a few even creating jumps and murmurs from the audience. Costumes by Zamora S. represent the 1940’s middle to upper class. Men in suits, ladies in dresses. Miss Claythorne has a particularly love dress for the first night/dinner. Emily Brent is dressed darker and more severe. The domestic help and boatman are appropriately attired. A drink cart sits down to one side of the stage, comfortable furniture is placed about a sitting room, and a large “glass” door is upstage where people enter and exit from “outside.” Kitchen and guestrooms to either side. 

Brenden Veerman as Philip Lombard and Davin Grindstaff in And Then There Were None at Lyric Arts in Anoka, MN. Thru 3/22/26. Photo: Molly Jay

Christie is a master at creating characters with questionable pasts. In this story, the characters are called to the island by a mysterious Mr. Owen. They all have letters requesting their presence on the island, or promises of employment. Before the first dinner is served, they hear a disembodied voice declare that they are all murderers and stating whom they have killed. It doesn’t take long for the first victim to be offed. 

All of the actors did a marvelous job of making their characters distinct. Bruce Abas as Sir Lawrence Wargrave gives the retired judge the right amount of edge. David Denninger as General Mackenzie was great. A bit laid back at first, privileged to a certain extent, and good build to the fear that they’re all feeling. Nadya Dominique as Vera Claythorne is lovely and observant. Davin Grindstaff as William Blore is witty and involved. Emily Jabas as Emily Brent is wonderfully severe. Michael Quadrozzi as Fred Narracott, the boat driver, delivers everyone to the island and helps to solidify that they are all trapped there until he returns. Margaret Reid is a lively Mrs. Rogers, the cook and only maid in the house, to which she is a bit resentful. Drew Reynhout as Anthony Marston is convincing as a young man full of himself who feels he is above the law. Matt Saxe is terrific as Dr. Armstrong who is both involved in the investigation and a suspicious character. Edwin Strout as Rogers, the other servant on the island, has a wonderful accent and presence. I wanted him to stick around for a while. But, alas, “and then there were none.” Brendan Veerman is witty, energetic and suspicious, but you might find yourself rooting for him, as well. It’s fun to see this plot unfold and who might be the last one breathing.

Nadya Dominique as Vera Claythorne and cast in And Then There Were None at Lyric Arts in Anoka, MN. Thru 3/22/26. Photo: Molly Jay

You can see And Then There Were None at Lyric Arts in Anoka, MN through March 22, 2026. Go, have a little fun, and see if you can unravel the mystery before there is no one left. 

Side note to theater goers. You are in the audience with many other people. Your phone is a distraction to the actors and audience, even a small bit of light interrupts the atmosphere. The stage is quite dark towards the end of the play with actors lit by candlelight. Please turn your phone off and check it only at intermission. Then, turn it off again. Thank you. 

Journaling Prompt: Have you ever been stranded somewhere – on an island, in a storm, a remote place without transportation? What was it like? What setting would you use for a murder mystery?